Warren Truck Accident Lawyer

Being in a truck accident can be a particularly catastrophic situation. The sheer power and size of a commercial truck can cause untold devastation if it wrecks on a busy road. Every large truck on the road is a potential threat that could completely alter the trajectory of your life if you become entangled in an accident with that truck. If you survive a truck accident and wish to pursue damages, you should speak with a skilled Warren truck accident lawyer.

By reaching out to the legal team at Wigod & Falzon, you are ensuring that your case is taken care of by the right people. We can provide you with peace of mind and assurance that your case is a priority. We know how to help your case succeed, and our attorneys can bring their vast experience with personal injury cases to you.

Statute of Limitations

When filing a truck accident claim in Michigan, it is important that you take into account the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, which is three years in Michigan. That gives you three years from the date of your initial injury to start developing a case, gather the necessary evidence, speak with a truck accident lawyer, and file a claim for compensatory damages. If you are unable to file a claim before three years are up, your case may be dismissed.

Developing a strong truck accident claim can take a lot more time than you might initially think, so it is important that you start building your case as soon as you possibly can. You may want to bring the evidence you already have to a truck accident lawyer, who can then help you finish building your case and take charge of it moving forward.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Warren?

Very little can prepare you for the image of a semi-truck careening out of control and causing a massive accident. If you are involved in that accident, it may be enough for you simply to have survived. On the other hand, a truck accident has the ability to cause life-altering injuries that may require constant daily medical care for the rest of your life.

A truck accident claim can help pay for that care, among other damages. Here are some steps you can take after an accident to protect your claim:

• Don’t panic. It might go directly against your instincts, but it is vital to your future claim and to your immediate health that you don’t panic. You have just been involved in a truck accident. You are going to be shaken up. Panicking won’t help you and could just make things worse. Take a few deep breaths, gather your thoughts, and start assessing your situation.
• Don’t flee. It is imperative to your freedom that you do not try to flee the scene of an accident. Under Michigan state law, every accident that involves a serious injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 must be reported to the proper authorities immediately. Failure to do so could result in harsh legal penalties you may not be fully prepared to deal with while also spearheading an accident claim.
• Check for injuries. Once you have calmed down, you should start checking yourself for any injuries you may have sustained. You may be in shock, so you could very well not feel these injuries until much later. If there is anybody else in the car with you, you should check them for injuries, too. Look for bloody spots, bruising, protrusions, sprains, and broken bones. If you are in pain but can’t find an injury, tell the EMTs.
• Call 911. Once you have checked yourself for any immediate injuries, you need to contact the authorities as soon as possible. Make sure you call the police and EMTs to the scene right away. The amount of potential devastation that a large truck may have caused could be substantial. EMTs will be needed. The sooner you get the authorities to the scene, the sooner they can block it off and secure the area.
• Move your car. Depending on the damage to your car, which could be significant, and any injuries you may have, you might want to consider moving your car out of the road. After all, you don’t want to be the inadvertent cause of another accident because your car is sitting in the middle of the highway. If the police approve it, you should consider moving your car to the shoulder. If the car is too damaged to move, don’t worry about it.
• Exchange information. You will need to exchange relevant contact and insurance information with the truck driver. Make sure you get their name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, and insurance carrier. Don’t forget to get the name of the trucking company they work for, as well as their contact details.
• Don’t admit fault. While exchanging information with the truck driver and talking to the police about the accident, it is important that you never admit fault for the accident in any way. Even if you know you caused the accident, don’t admit it. Admitting fault can severely hurt your chances of receiving a favorable settlement for your claim. Even apologizing can be misconstrued as an admission. Be civil, but don’t admit fault.
• Document the scene. Once the police have cleared the scene and you have been checked out by the EMTs, you can start documenting the scene of the accident for your own records. Take plenty of photos of your injuries, the damage done to your car, the damage done to the truck, any traffic signs, and the conditions of the road. Don’t forget to speak to any witnesses and get their contact info. You might need it later.
• Contact your insurance. Make sure you reach out and inform your insurance carrier that you have been involved in an accident. Be sure not to admit fault here, either. They may request all the evidence you have collected up to that point. If the trucking company or their insurance carrier calls you, you don’t have to talk to them. You can tell them to speak with your lawyer once you retain one.
• See a doctor. It is important that you see a medical professional after your accident. You may be dealing with some internal trauma that the EMTs might have overlooked. It could be wise to get a second, more thorough opinion. Additionally, you will want an official medical report of your injuries for your records.
• See a lawyer. Once you have compiled evidence and documented your injuries, you should consider reaching out to an experienced truck accident lawyer in Warren, MI. A lawyer can look through what you have and determine if you have a strong enough case to pursue compensatory damages from the party responsible.

FAQs

How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?

There is no telling how much most truck accident settlements are, as every truck accident case is going to be different. Every case has its own specific details unique to that case. In every case, certain details have to be considered that will influence how much the settlement amount will end up being. These details include the severity of your injuries, the evidence that proves negligence, and your lawyer’s negotiation talents.

What Is the Primary Cause of Truck Accidents in the United States?

The primary cause of truck accidents in the United States is driver error, which is allegedly 10 times more likely to cause an accident than any other factor that could cause a crash. Driver error can mean so many different things, such as distracted driving, fatigued driving, speeding, or a simple lack of proper training.

What Is the First Thing I Should Do After a Truck Accident?

The very first thing you should do after a truck accident is start checking yourself for injuries. A truck accident can cause considerable damage not just to your vehicle but to you and any passengers you had in the car with you. There’s no telling just how injured you might be, and due to shock, you might not even know. Look for any obvious signs, and make sure you are looked at by the EMTs when they arrive.

Should I Talk to the Trucking Company’s Insurance Carrier?

No, you likely should not talk with the trucking company’s insurance carrier. If they try to contact you, you should consider referring them to your lawyer, who can speak to them on your behalf. Your truck accident lawyer will know how to handle insurance companies that may try to guilt or intimidate you into accepting blame or not pursuing legal action.

Reach Out to an Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys Team Today

There are few experiences in life as frightening as being involved in a truck accident. The amount of damage that can happen to everything in its path is almost inconceivable. If you are injured in such an accident, a truck accident lawyer can help you develop a case to seek damages from the party deemed responsible for the crash.

The legal team at Wigod & Falzon understands the kind of legal help you will need for this case, and we are prepared to provide you with it. We can help you build up your case, gather the right evidence, and protect your interests throughout. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.